Tether lock

ABSTRACT

A retractor for an anti-theft display includes a rotatable locking member that may hold the retractor&#39;s spool in fixed position against further rotation. The retractor&#39;s spool carries an anti-theft tether that normally extends or retracts as a tethered product is lifted to and from a retail display. The locking member holds the tether in fixed position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to retail security or anti-theft devicesfor marketing consumer products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common to display consumer electronics (cell phones, tabletdevices, etc.) in retail stores by mounting them to posts or similarstructures on display countertops. The hand-held is typically tetheredto the display. One common form of tethering involves cable reels or“retractors.”

The present disclosure relates to a means for locking a retractor inplace, from free rotation, while the retractor's cable or tether isretracted. Retractors in the anti-theft industry are often spring-loadedso that they naturally or automatically pull the cable back into theretractor's housing, after a consumer lifts and returns a tetheredhand-held to and from the display. Sometimes, however, the retailerwants the tether “locked down” from extension from the retractor.Because the tether may be the only physical attachment between theproduct and a display base, an extended tether offers something that iseasy to cut by a thief in the store. Locking the tether in retractedmode keeps the product close to the base, but with the tether shieldedor in a wound condition such that it is not easy to access for cutting.

As described below, the present disclosure provides a lock-downmechanism that accomplishes the above function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure involves a retractor for an anti-theft display that canbe locked into a fixed position that prevents rotation of the retractor.The retractor can be locked at any point of extension or retraction(i.e., extension or retraction of the anti-theft tether that is part ofthe retractor).

The retractor comprises a spool apparatus that carries the anti-thefttether. The spool apparatus normally has an internal tether spool thatrotates freely in either clockwise or counter-clockwise directions. Thespool apparatus includes a portion with a circular periphery thatrotates in response to winding or unwinding movement of the tether.

The retractor further includes a rotatable lock member that is carriedby the spool apparatus. The lock member may rotate between “lock” or“unlock” positions. The lock member carries a projecting portion that isshaped and positioned relative to the circular periphery of the spoolapparatus, in a manner so that the projecting portion mechanicallyengages with the circular periphery, when the lock member is rotatedinto the “lock” position.

In one form, the circular periphery consists of a uniform distributionof teeth. The projecting portion described above has a point thatengages with the teeth, when the lock member is in “lock.”

Mechanical engagement of the lock member with the circular peripheryprevents winding or unwinding of the tether. Further details of theforegoing summary are described below, which should be taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference numerals and letters refer to like partsthroughout the various views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, pictorial view of a retractor mechanism and showsthe location of a lock-down arm relative to the retractor;

FIG. 2 is an unexploded view of the retractor portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an unexploded view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 2, but taken from a different angle;

FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 4, but shows the lock-down arm flipped up fordisengaging or unlocking the retractor's tether;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the retractor shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, butwith the outer cover removed, and the lock-down arm flipped down, forlocking the retractor;

FIG. 7 is a view like FIG. 6, but shows the lock-down arm disengaged;

FIG. 8 is an unexploded side view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 1, andalso illustrates mounting of the mechanism to the underside of a shelf;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the mechanism shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 8, and 9.

BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

Referring briefly to the drawings, arrow 10 generally refers to aretractor that is used in connection with a retail anti-theft display.In this case, the retractor 10 has a spool 12 for winding or unwindingthe retractor's tether cable 22 (for tether retraction or extension).The spool 12 has teeth around its outer periphery (best seen at 14 inFIGS. 6 and 7).

A lever or lock arm 16 is mounted for rotation about a pin 18 (describedlater). While the lock arm 16 may take many forms, it has a projectingportion 20 that is sized to engage a lock-down mechanism (describedlater) with the teeth 14 on the spool 12, when the lock arm 16 is“flipped down.”

Referring now to FIGS. 4-7, the lock arm 16 may be flipped back andforth between the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively,depending on whether it is desired to lock or unlock the spool 12 andcable 22. In essence, the lock arm 16 is designed to have a type ofcamming/locking action, further described below. When in the positionshown in FIGS. 4 and 6, for example, the lock arm 16 is flipped “down”so that the teeth 14 on spool 12 are engaged. This, in turn, locks thespool against rotation and holds the retractor cable 22 in place,locking it from further extension or retraction.

As mentioned above, it is likely the lock arm 16 will be used when thecable 22 is fully retracted, to hold the product (not shown) against amounting shelf (item 24 in FIG. 8) or a product-mounting base (notshown) that is on the upper surface 26 of the shelf 24. Flipping thelock arm 16 the other way is shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, for unlocking thespool 12 and allowing the cable 22 to extend and retract normally.

Directing attention back to FIG. 1, the specific structural features ofthe lock-down mechanism will be further described. First, the retractor10 is modified to include an outer housing 28 that contains the partsfor enabling the lock arm 16 to lock or unlock the retractor 10.Specifically, a rod 30 extends through housing 28. A first part 32 is onone end of the rod 30. Another part 38 is on the other end of the rod30. Springs 34, 36 surround the rod 30. The second part 38 can slideback and forth on the region indicated by arrow 39 in FIG. 1. It has aflat surface 40, and a second surface portion. The latter carries anarray of teeth 44 (see, FIG. 6). The lock arm 16 is connected to the endof rod 30 by pin 18 (via bore 41 in the rod).

During the locking action, as the lock arm 16 is pivoted into theposition shown in FIG. 6, the projecting portion 20 of the lock arm 16pushes directly against surface 40, pushing and sliding it inward on rod30, against the bias of one of the springs 34, 36. This, in turn, movesand engages the teeth 44 on the second part 38 with the teeth 14 on thespool 12 (as shown in FIG. 6). At the same time, the lock arm 16 ispulling the end of the rod 30 through an opening in part 38. This alsopulls the other part 32 inward (on the other end of rod 30), alsoagainst the bias of one of the springs 34, 36. Like part 38, the otherpart 32 has an array of teeth 46 that engage with the spool teeth 14,but on the other side of the spool 12. As a consequence, the spool 12 iscaught within a clamping jaw, created by natural inward movement ofparts 38 and 32, caused by the camming action of lock arm 16.

When the lock arm 16 is flipped back or open (the position shown inFIGS. 5 and 7), the projecting portion 20 on the lock arm 16 rotatesaway from the flat surface 40, on the second part 38. This, in turn,allows the compressive forces in springs 34, 36 to push parts 38 and 32,and their respective teethed portions 44, 46 outwardly and away fromwheel 14, thus disengaging with the teeth 14 on the wheel, and allowingthe spool 12 to rotate normally for cable extension and retraction.

The foregoing is not intended to limit the scope of patent coverage.Patent coverage is to be limited only by the following patent claim orclaims, the interpretation of which to be made by the establisheddoctrines of claim interpretation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A retractor for an anti-theft display,comprising: a spool apparatus for carrying an anti-theft tether, saidspool apparatus including a portion with a circular periphery thatrotates in response to winding or unwinding movement of said anti-thefttether; and a lock member adapted to engage with the spool apparatus tocontrollably lock and unlock winding and unwinding movement of saidanti-theft tether, wherein said lock member comprises (1) a lock armthat is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position,(2) a projecting portion connected to said lock arm, (3) a clamp, (4) arod, and (5) a spring that biases said clamp to mechanically disengagewith and unlock said circular periphery to permit winding or unwindingmovement of said anti-theft tether when said lock am is in said unlockedposition; wherein said lock arm, said projecting portion, and said clampare adapted to provide a camming action that (1) translates a firstrotational movement of said lock arm that causes said projecting portionto engage with and linearly move said clamp so that (i) said clampmechanically engages with and locks said circular periphery againstfurther rotation to thereby prevent winding or unwinding movement ofsaid anti-theft tether and (ii) said clamp places a compressive force onsaid spring when said lock arm is in said locked position, and (2)translates a second rotational movement of said lock arm and saidconnected projecting portion into a linear movement of said clamp sothat said clamp mechanically disengages with and unlocks said circularperiphery to permit winding or unwinding movement of said anti-thefttether; wherein said rod is connected to said lock arm such that saidrod moves linearly in response to the first and second rotationalmovements of said lock arm, wherein said clamp is connected to said rod,and wherein said spring surrounds a portion of said rod; and whereinsaid clamp comprises: a first part connected to a first portion of saidrod; and a second part connected to a second portion of said rod,wherein said second part is slidingly engaged with said rod; and whereinsaid first and second parts are adapted to mechanically engage with anddisengage with opposite sides of said circular periphery in response tothe first and second rotational movements respectively.
 2. The retractorof claim 1 wherein said spring comprises: a first spring adjacent saidfirst part; and a second spring adjacent said second part; wherein saidfirst and second springs bias said first and second parts respectivelyto mechanically disengage with and unlock said circular periphery topermit winding or unwinding movement of said anti-theft tether when saidlock am is in said unlocked position.
 3. The retractor of claim 1wherein said second part includes a hole, and wherein said rod extendsaxially through said hole.
 4. The retractor of claim 3 wherein said rodincludes a region over which said second part slides in response to thelinear movements caused by the first and second rotational movements. 5.The retractor of claim 1 wherein said circular periphery comprises aplurality of teeth, wherein said first part comprises a plurality ofteeth, wherein said second part comprises a plurality of teeth, andwherein said mechanical engagement comprises an interlocking betweensaid teeth of said circular periphery, said first part, and said secondpart.
 6. The retractor of claim 1 further comprising a housing and a pinconnected to said housing; wherein said lock arm includes a hole;wherein said pin extends through said lock arm hole so that said lockarm is rotatable about said pin; and wherein said spool apparatus and aportion of said lock member are inside said housing, and wherein saidlock arm extends outside said housing to permit a user to applyrotational forces to said lock arm, and wherein the first and secondrotational movements are in opposite directions.
 7. The retractor ofclaim 1 wherein said lock member is adapted engage with the spoolapparatus to controllably lock winding and unwinding movement of saidanti-theft tether at any point of extension and retraction for saidanti-theft tether.
 8. The retractor of claim 1 further comprising aproduct-mounting base, said product-mounting base and said anti-thefttether adapted to securely hold a product.
 9. The retractor of claim 1wherein said lock arm is adapted to be flipped down and flipped up,wherein the first rotational movement of said lock arm and saidconnected projecting portion is caused by said lock arm being flippeddown, and wherein the second rotational movement of said lock arm andsaid connected projecting portion is caused by said lock arm beingflipped up.